A Poignant Saint John the Baptist Attributed to Claus de Werve

Published on 30 June 2023, by Christophe Provot

Auction on 05 July 2023 - 15:30 (CEST) - Salle 9 - Hôtel Drouot - 75009

This realistic bust of the hermit saint is credited to Claus de Werve, nephew and follower of the sculptor Claus Sluter.

Attributed to Claus de Werve (c. 1380-1439), limestone bust of Saint John the Baptist... A Poignant Saint John the Baptist Attributed to Claus de Werve

Attributed to Claus de Werve (c. 1380-1439), limestone bust of Saint John the Baptist carved in the round, c. 1415-1420, 42 x 39 cm/16.53 x 15.35 in.
Estimate: €15,000/20,000

With his gaunt, craggy face, head tilting slightly to the right and his gaze lost in distant contemplation, the saint seems to be overcome by deep melancholy. Is he aware of the fate that awaits him? In any case, it took a highly talented sculptor to portray his inner life in limestone. Instead of idealizing the subject, the artist painstakingly rendered the signs of…

This article is for subscribers only

You still have 85% left to read.

To discover more, Subscribe